Skeletons in the Closet

 "His (Manasseh's) prayer and how God was moved by his entreaty, as well as all his sins and unfaithfulness,...all these are written in the records of the seers. Manasseh rested with his ancestors and was buried in his palace." 2 Chronicles 33: 19-20

    Obituaries usually follow a certain format. After personal information may come a list of the person's contributions to society, family and church. Rarely do any contain negative aspects such as sins or regrets. Have you ever tried to pen your own? It's a true exercise in humility. I found I am not always willing to look in the rear view mirror too closely.

    When reading about this fellow Manasseh today, it struck me that ALL his sins were written in the record books. His skeletons didn't have a closet to hide in! Made a king at age twelve, here are some examples of his leadership over his 55-year reign in Jerusalem: He erected altars to idols inside the very temple of the Lord, worshiped the starry host, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, consulted mediums and sacrificed his own children in the fire! God spoke to him and all the people he led astray, but they paid no attention until the Lord had enemies lead Manasseh away, bound in shackles with a hook in his nose. Finally, in his distress, this evil king sought the Lord in humility and prayer, and God listened, extending mercy.

    Most of us have a pile of dirty laundry hidden in the basement, but God sees it all, which makes our sin even more distressing. The next time you see a cross - be it on a steeple or a necklace - think of the power of the blood of Christ. How blood makes the stains of sin disappear is a mystery I am grateful to embrace. In the Bible, we are told God not only forgives, He forgets. "...you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:19) "...all my sins are behind your back." (Isaiah 38:17) "I will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12)

    Once we confess our sins, God is faithful to wash our clothes and clean out our closets. Now, keep tidy by forgiving others! 

"Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13